Windows 7: Dual Boot

I want to install Win 7 & XP on a 500 GB hard drive, I've read the tutorials and I think I am in information overload could somebody give me a step by step instruction on how to accomplish this? Thanks in advance, Bob

Bob
There is nothing better than the tutorials, with pictures and detailed info.
All you should need is in this one: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Hello again Bobcoop103.



The wise way to do this is to install XP first on the second partition of the hard drive (HDD) then when XP is installed and booting good, install Windows 7 on to the first partition of the HDD then you will get a "boot menu" option screen when you first boot the PC.

I got both O/S's installed ok and everything worked ok for a while but now when I select Win 7 from the boot menu I get an error message as follows: An internal error occured, The following information might help you resolve the error: The system cannot find the file specified. (0X80070002) I also Get a System Recovery Options window but none of the options work.

Thanks, Bob

Is that because the first partition (Windows 7) is faster? (I guess it is on the outside part of the disk.)

8o070002 seems to be related to Windows Update (in Vista anyway):
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...error-80070002

I did exactly as you suggested but I can't access Win 7 now and get the error message mentioned. XP works fine.

In that situation what is generally done is
First- try to Startup Repair .If it does not work, try System Restore. I hope you haven't done any system image backup till now, so finally you try Repair Install . It will fix all the problems, and your dual boot menu will not be hampered. But as you are not able to log on in 7, you are to do it from xp.

EDIT : if your 7 is a 64 bit one , you will not be able to run the installer from xp. So you have to boot from the 7 DVD.

A startup repair will fix it see the tutorial at the link below.

Startup Repair

If I can't boot into Win 7 how can I use any of the fixes that seem to be done from within Win 7?

If you would look at this one ... you boot into it.